If we needed a species as an icon to represent the
conservation of Virunga National Park, in the DRC, it would be the Mountain
Gorilla, or Gorilla beringei beringei, as
it is known to taxonomists. In fact, it could be argued that without Mountain
gorillas, the National Park, established in 1925 and formerly known as Albert
National Park, wouldn’t exist today. Paradoxically, it was two collectors of
gorillas for museums that recognized the unsustainable collection of Mountain gorillas.
Charles Akeley who collected for the New York Museum of Natural History, and
Prince William of Sweden with their prominent connections were able to lobby
the Belgian King and gather international support to establish the protection
of Mountain gorillas.

The gorilla story in DRC takes us back to 2 legendary
silverbacks, Zunguruka and Rugendo who each led a habituated group of gorillas
on different ridges in the forest behind Bukima ranger post. Both were
habituated in 1986.

If all of Rugendo’s sons are his, he could potentially be
one of the most successful silverbacks to have led a gorilla group. At the
time that he led it, it was a large group of 18 individuals. His son's names are highlighted in bold-italic.

Rugendo was tragically assassinated on the 15th
July, 2001, in crossfire between warring militias, however, his genetics and
legacy live on.

Rugendo had many sons

-Mapuwa

Left his father’s group in 1998, with two females.

-Humba

-Nyakamwe

Humba left with his brother Nyakamwe in 1998. In 2014 they
interacted and split into two groups.

-Senkwekwe

Senkwekwe took over the group, though as a young
silverback he lacked the strength and experience to keep the group intact.
Some of the females left, joining his brother’s group Mapuwa. Senkweke was
murdered together with five other gorillas in 2007.

Bukima(not
Rugendo’s son)

Is currently the dominant silverback of the Rugendo group.
Kongoman and Baseka are both with him.

-Kongoman

-Baseka

-Ruzirabwoba is a solitary silverback.

Zunguruka got his name from the habit of walking in
circles. He had two sons, Ndungutse and Salama who took over the family when
Zunguruka died of old age.

In 1994, a wild silverback showed up on the scene and
fought with Salama and Ndungutse. He did not win, but the wounds he inflicted
on Salama eventually killed him leaving Ndungutse as the sole silverback.

The wild silverback was named Kabirizi.

In 1997, Ndungutse was assassinated. His sons Buhaya and
Karateka took over the group, and after a series of fights, Karateka ended up
as a solitary silverback.

At this point, Kabirizi returned to the scene and killed
Buhaya. The females however refused to follow Kabirizi and were led by the
oldest female Nsekuye.

At this point Munyaga, a lone silverback entered the scene
and took over the group being led by Nsekuye. It wasn’t long before Kabirizi
challenged Munyaga, this time winning and taking with him all the females.
Munyaga remained with a small group of sub-adult males. Then in 2007 he went
missing during a surge in rebel activities. At that time, Mawazo led the
group although he was still a Blackback. He eventually matured and was able
to acquire females of his own with his brother Kasole.

Kabirizi continued to succesfully lead his group that grew
to 36 individuals. Then in 2013 he suffered a blow when his son Bageni, who
had grown up to become a formidable Silverback, challenged him taking with
him 20 individuals, including his mother, brother, and 2 sisters.

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by Nicol Ragland Photography

Identity

I am a guide and guide trainer working in East Africa. I love adventure and the solitude and peace that comes from being in the wilderness. It has led me on a search to learn as much as I can about the larger forces and concepts, as well as little intricacies and beauties in nature. I am a strong believer in conservation that is sustainable and that recognizes indigenous and other people's rights.